A coastal population of Honey Badger Mellivora capensis at Chilika Lagoon in the Indian east coast

Abstract

We report the presence of the Honey Badger Mellivora capensis from Chilika lagoon, state of Odisha, on the Indian East coast for the first time. Despite being catholic in its habitat choice, it is mainly associated with more arid landscapes comprising savanna, shrubland and desert. Chilika is a coastal lagoon drained by river Mahanadi, and, is situated in the Northern Deccan Plateau ecoregion, which is characterized by dry deciduous forests situated in the rain shadow of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. Chilika is mainly a wet landscape with many portions experiencing seasonal inundation. The lagoon probably gives refuge to an extension of the Eastern Ghats Honey Badger population.